In the aftermath of Hurricane Frances, Polk
County Deputy Sheriffs assigned to specialty functions, such as
Community Oriented Policing, are now working 12-hour shifts around the
clock in support of the patrol deputies. Also, since Saturday, patrol
deputies have been working with 2 platoons assigned to days and
nights, as opposed to just one. The extra deputies are being utilized to
serve as shelter security, help damage assessment teams, and work out of
the 4 county-wide task forces.

So far deputies have made 2 arrests for crimes of opportunity related to
the storm. At 2:00 p.m. today, witnesses reported 2 men breaking into
what appeared to be a business in North Lakeland. Responding deputies
arriving on the scene at 5616 US 98 North found Christopher Jackson, DOB
2/24/79, of 1201 Shadow Drive in Lakeland, in possession of burglary
tools and breaking into the Tae Kwon Do Academy bus. Jackson is wanted
on out-of-county and Polk County warrants. He was arrested and charged
with Burglary of a Conveyance, Petit
Theft, and Providing a False Name to a Law Enforcement Officer. Jackson
was accompanied by a juvenile, who has not been charged with a crime.

At 3:30 p.m. today, deputy sheriffs who had just cleared a call in
Frostproof witnessed 2 men riding a 4-wheeler on Fort Meade Road, in
40-50 MPH winds. The deputies attempted to stop the men, but they fled
in a nearby grove. A patrol Sergeant went on foot into the grove, and
found one of the suspects hiding behind a vacant trailer, the 4-wheeler
hidden nearby. The 4-wheeler appears to have been stolen, although that
has not been confirmed. The steering column was broken and the serial
number was missing. Arrested was Adam Matthews, DOB 11/21/79, with no
known address. Matthews was charged with Fleeing to Elude, Trespassing,
and Resisting without Violence.